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Press Release

ADL Welcomes Karadzic Conviction for War Crimes and Genocide

New York, NY, March 24, 2016 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today welcomed the conviction of Radovan Karadzic, former Bosnian Serb political leader, on charges of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity, by the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia in The Hague.

Among other charges, Karadzic was held responsible for the 1995 Srebrenica massacre, where 8,000 Bosnian Muslims – including men and boys-- were murdered and their bodies dumped in mass graves in the worst example of mass murder on European soil since World War II.

“Eight years after his arrest and over two decades following his war crimes, Radovan Karadzic has been held accountable,” said Marvin D. Nathan, ADL National Chair and Jonathan A. Greenblatt, ADL CEO. “His imprisonment, likely for the rest of his life, brings justice and perhaps some comfort to the families of his victims.”

This verdict sends an important message to those who are engaging in or contemplating genocide that the civilized world will eventually hold them accountable, if they cannot be stopped beforehand,” added Mr. Nathan and Mr. Greenblatt. “As Jews, we understand well the imperative to prevent genocide, and as a last resort to punish it. This is another occasion to recommit to the lessons of ‘Never Again.’”

In 2005, ADL marked the 10th anniversary of the Srebrenica massacre, and in 2008 the League welcomed the arrest of Karadzic for his crimes.

In July 1995, Bosnian Serb forces overran the area around Srebrenica, in eastern Bosnia, despite its status as a U.N. "safe area". Around 8,000 Bosnian Muslim men and boys were systematically slaughtered and their bodies dumped into mass graves.

The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world's leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.

Radovan Karadzic was held responsible for the 1995 Srebrenica massacre, where 8,000 Bosnian Muslims – including men and boys-- were murdered